Santa Cruz County deputies warn of gift card scam

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputies are warning shoppers to inspect gift cards before buying them to avoid a recent scam.

Deputy April Skalland said thieves have recently bought gift cards, photocopied the bar code and slipped the photocopies on top of other gift cards at stores. When the cashier rings them up and adds money to the bar code, the money has gone to thieves rather than on the card.

Deputies advised gift-card buyers to make sure that the card has not been tampered with before buying it. The card also should be secured in its paper case, Skalland said.